The prologue of this folklore-inspired adventure urges listeners to “come close, nestle deep,” which is precisely the response that many will have to LuLu Lam’s spellbinding narration. Lam spins the tale of Lalani Sarita, a 12-year-old girl who’s so determined to save her struggling home island of Sanlagita that she sets sail across the sea to retrieve good fortune from the legendary Mount Isa, a quest from which no one has ever returned. Unobtrusive and immersive, Lam’s performance indicates character voices through gentle adjustments of pitch and cadence. She establishes a steady pace that carries listeners through moments of sadness, fear, action, and wonder. Though Lalani’s journey is arduous and her triumph hard-won, this audiobook will easily win over listeners of all ages. R.A.H. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

This story takes a subtler route than the usual superhero-esque fare, giving all the characters and creatures their own piece of the story, weaving an ending that—in keeping with the rest of the book—is more gentle harmony than bold crescendo, but no less satisfying. Lalani's tale is a lyrical lullaby, a homage to Filipino folklore, and a skillfully made story that reminds us that even the ordinary can do extraordinary things.

★ 05/27/2019

A fantasy inspired by Filipino folklore, this vibrant story by Newbery Medalist Entrada (Hello, Universe) follows Lalani Sarita, 12, on her harrowing quest to save her mother and her island, Sanlagita, from the horrible fates for which they seem destined. When Lalani’s father perished after being selected to sail to Mount Isa, “where all of life’s good fortunes were said to be,” Lalani and her mother were forced to live with her frightening uncle and his cruel son. Now, with her mother ill and her island suffering from a drought that has killed off medicinal plants, Lalani faces an impossible quest: sailing across the sea that has taken the lives of countless men, including her father, in search of something that might heal her mother and reveal what’s really beyond their small island home. Entrada intersperses second-person narratives that describe the mountain’s many fantastical creatures (“Imagine you are a weeping loset”), weaving adventure and magic into the story. Unlikely but determined heroine Lalani is lovably loyal, kind-hearted, and optimistic even as she faces unspeakable dangers, and her relentless spirit makes her a worthy protagonist in this triumphant tale about fighting for the people one loves and staying true to oneself. Ages 8–12. Agent: Sara Crowe, Pippin Properties. (Sept.)

A lush and mysterious fable, full of beauty, full of wonder.” — —Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Reach Me

“With lyricism and elegance, Erin Entrada Kelly weaves a rich tale. Powerful and gripping.” — Soman Chainani, author of The School for Good and Evil series

“Unlikely but determined heroine Lalani is lovably loyal, kind-hearted, and optimistic even as she faces unspeakable dangers, and her relentless spirit makes her a worthy protagonist in this triumphant tale about fighting for the people one loves and staying true to oneself.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Newbery Medalist Kelly writes a heroic fantasy about making choices, going on a quest, and conquering evil. Scattered throughout the novel are short, beautifully illustrated second-person vignettes allowing readers to imagine they are the mythical creatures Lalani encounters . . . Fast-paced and full of wonder, this is a powerful, gripping must-read.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Inspired by Filipino folklore, Newbery Award̶winner Kelly has woven her narrative with a mythology that is rich and delicious. . . . Readers will be cheering for Lalani in her unlikely quest to save her family and friends, using only the power of her wits, courage, and empathy.” — Booklist (starred review)

“Beautifully rendered . . . A journey illustrating the importance of story and the power of faith and hope.”
— School Library Journal (starred review)

“Brimming with injustice, beauty, pain and wonder . . . A fluid, intentional novel grounded strongly in emotional reality and overflowing with the fantastic. Absolutely bewitching.” — Shelf Awareness (starred review)

“Fans of Lin’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon will be enthralled.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Kelly turns from the contemporary realistic settings of the Newbery–winning Hello, Universe and of You Go First to a tropical island–set fantasy world. . . . An excellent job of world-building.”  — Horn Book (starred review)

With lyricism and elegance, Erin Entrada Kelly weaves a rich tale. Powerful and gripping.

Brimming with injustice, beauty, pain and wonder . . . A fluid, intentional novel grounded strongly in emotional reality and overflowing with the fantastic. Absolutely bewitching.

Inspired by Filipino folklore, Newbery Award̶winner Kelly has woven her narrative with a mythology that is rich and delicious. . . . Readers will be cheering for Lalani in her unlikely quest to save her family and friends, using only the power of her wits, courage, and empathy.

Fans of Lin’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon will be enthralled.

A lush and mysterious fable, full of beauty, full of wonder.

Kelly turns from the contemporary realistic settings of the Newbery–winning Hello, Universe and of You Go First to a tropical island–set fantasy world. . . . An excellent job of world-building.” 

Fans of Lin’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon will be enthralled.

Kelly turns from the contemporary realistic settings of the Newbery–winning Hello, Universe and of You Go First to a tropical island–set fantasy world. . . . An excellent job of world-building.” 

Inspired by Filipino folklore, Newbery Award̶winner Kelly has woven her narrative with a mythology that is rich and delicious. . . . Readers will be cheering for Lalani in her unlikely quest to save her family and friends, using only the power of her wits, courage, and empathy.

Fans of Lin’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon will be enthralled.

★ 08/01/2019

Gr 5–8—Lalani Sarita must leave her home on Sanlagita Island in search of solutions to the struggles of her family and friends. After her mother falls ill and a devastating landslide wreaks havoc that leaves the island leaderless, Lalani feels responsible as she's the one who approached their cursed mountain and wished for rain. She sets out to find the island of Isa, which legend says will provide the help Sanlagita so desperately needs. But dozens of sailors have been sent to find Isa previously and never returned. After Lalani leaves, her friend Veyda and her brother Hetsbi, and the other islanders struggle to survive. Lalani has no idea the dangers she is up against just trying to cross the Veiled Sea, let alone what faces her should she reach Isa. But she's determined to find help for her loved ones and make up for her mistakes—and her pure motives may just be enough to carry her through. Kelly's beautifully rendered novel leaves readers with much to ponder. The tale has themes of good and evil, hope and despair, and finding the courage to bring change to old traditions. Lalani's story is intertwined with the tales of those around her, human and creature alike. All of these eventually culminate into a journey illustrating the importance of story and the power of faith and hope. VERDICT A first purchase where books such as Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon are popular.—Heidi Grange, Summit Elementary School, Smithfield, UT

The prologue of this folklore-inspired adventure urges listeners to “come close, nestle deep,” which is precisely the response that many will have to LuLu Lam’s spellbinding narration. Lam spins the tale of Lalani Sarita, a 12-year-old girl who’s so determined to save her struggling home island of Sanlagita that she sets sail across the sea to retrieve good fortune from the legendary Mount Isa, a quest from which no one has ever returned. Unobtrusive and immersive, Lam’s performance indicates character voices through gentle adjustments of pitch and cadence. She establishes a steady pace that carries listeners through moments of sadness, fear, action, and wonder. Though Lalani’s journey is arduous and her triumph hard-won, this audiobook will easily win over listeners of all ages. R.A.H. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

★ 2019-06-10
A young girl goes on an epic journey across the sea.

Twelve-year-old Lalani Sarita lives on the fictional island of Sanlagita, where people say benedictions to the foreboding Mount Kahna and dream of sailing to paradise on Mount Isa. But sailors who journey to Isa never return. When a strange creature on Mount Kahna grants Lalani a wish, she discovers magic comes with a price. After her mother falls ill, the villagers turn on her, and with everything in ruins, she runs away in search of Isa and the flower that might save everyone. Along the way, she encounters creatures and plants, some friendly and some deadly. Lalani must overcome many hardships and challenges to create her own path. Inspired by Filipino folktales, Newbery Medalist Kelly (Hello, Universe, 2017) writes a heroic fantasy about making choices, going on a quest, and conquering evil. Though the tale is told primarily in the third person, characters develop deeply through revealed thoughts and actions. Each character adds another layer to the story, all facing their own issues, such as finding courage, patriarchy, and gender roles. Scattered throughout the novel are short, beautifully illustrated second-person vignettes allowing readers to imagine they are the mythical creatures Lalani encounters, adding yet another layer of depth and fantasy to the story.

Fast-paced and full of wonder, this is a powerful, gripping must-read. (Fantasy. 9-12)